I forget to add that I've been waxing for a while now and even then, when the hair grows back, for two days or so my skin itches like crazy! Exfoliating relieves the pain from the itch but it doesn't take it away. The good thing about waxing is that I go through this problem once a month (for two days) instead of every single day if I were to shave.
I've had this problem for years. I've tried everything most of you have have suggested and nothing works. I have come to the conclusion that it's not the razor, or the lotion, or the water, etc. but the way the hair grows back. I think it comes back thick and the skin pores aren't large enough for them, so that's why most of them become ingrown and/or infected producing bumps that itch. The only good thing to do would be to cut the hair leaving enough so the skin can't grow over them but I don't know how that's possible.
I'm hoping someone out there has a great solution. I'll keep checking once in a while.
A couple months ago I was reading everyones post and could not believe how many people have the same problem. I too went to my doctor and I was given some perscription gel and was told not to save until the red bumps were gone...not real practicle in the summer. I did what she said and the bumps got better but the minute I shaved everything came right back, so I started trying different things and nothing was making a difference. While we were on vaction, I was using a gallon of distilled water to rinse my legs and noticed that my legs didn't hardly break out or itch. So I started thinking...could it be my water at home?? We have well water and my legs have only been this bad since we moved into this house, so when we got home my husband and I dumped a gallon of pool shock down our well (not the drains inside). We let it sit overnight and the next morning we turned on all the faucets to flush out the pool shock. The next day I decided to give it a try and sure enough my legs didn't start itching right away; although, I do still have to lotion up ( I use bath and body works and an anti-itch lotion) after and I use Cetaphil facewash while I am shaving. As long as I do this everytime, my legs are soft and very rarely ever itch anymore!
So I hope this helps someone out there!! Oh and I would recomend if your going to shock your well like we did, do some research first. I know on some older wells and piping it could break something.
My legs have finally stopped itching after much trial and error, so I just wanted to share what worked for me here in case it helps anyone. I have a feeling that there are various causes for itchy legs so the solution will depend on your individual cause.
I came to this this thread about a month ago looking for answers because I was suffering random bouts of mad itchiness on my legs. My bed was already encased (and made of latex foam anyway) so the mites-advice did not apply for me. Eventually what worked for me were two things. 1) Shaving technique-I stopped going for that "close shave." Now I just do one light swipe on each section of my leg. Like so light it is hardly touching my skin, and I don't go back and re-swipe. It might leave a few hairs but it feels so much less irritated, which is more important. I also tried out different razors-for me, the simple single razor works best, while the triple-blade/replaceable head ones were aggravating my condition.
2) Dry brushing. Whenever my legs would start to itch, I would use a loofah or dry brush (rather than fingernails) on them and exfoliate until they felt better. I also made a practice of dry brushing a few times a day no matter what. This has made the most difference; my skin feels much softer and happier now. You can look up "dry brushing" online or read about it here: http://michellephan.com/blog/post/skincare-101-dry-brushing
As for products, I don't use many on my legs. I use Aveeno body wash (scentless) when shaving, and AHA lotion (St. Ives Naturally Smooth) after, and that's it. Aveeno has oat flour (said to be good for itchy skin) and AHA helps slough off your dead skin cells. But I believe that the major changes explained above are what made the greatest difference.
Good luck to everyone reading this thread who is hoping (as I once was) to stop their poor legs' suffering without just going hairy!
I have this problem too and I think I just figured it out. You see, my itching stopped about a month ago when I was using the Quattro razors for women with a moisterizing strip. I ran out of blades so I bought some disposable razors, a good pricey brand, and the itching was terrible right after I shaved.
I hope this razor will help others - I'm going to buy new blades today. I was also told to exfoliate before shaving with a moisterizing scrub.
Good luck to all!
It might be that you have an allergy to demodex mites they live on everyone but some people have horrible reactions and these mites get overpopulated. They live in hair follicles. You can try applying some tea tree oil in some johnsons baby shampoo and leave it on for awhile or mix with coconut oil at about 50% is what medical journalsvsay but i would reduce the amoumt of tea tree oilbto 25-30% for a larger portion on your body. It is strong. People with rosacea sometimes have an overgrowth as well. Doxcycline at a low dose of about 40 mg will help reduce inflammation. A good dermatologist can help you with that or even a family doc. The same thing happens to me a lot over my whole body the tea tree oil helps!! But i just had one of those leg shaving episodes and about went mad. I put some antipersperant on my legs applied 3-5 times today and its the only thing that helped. Have never had the shaving leg itch before and it was awful. I thought maybe i had poison ivy and my grandpa always said after a good soapybath to put antipersperant on and so i did. You could try that. Supposedly ammonium salts help found that on internet. Also dont store razor in shower let it dry completely and keep it very clean. Also you could wash yourlegs really well with some chlorohexadine scrub basically surgical soap to keep any fungus or bacteria on your skin from getting started on your already irritated skin its pretty gentle i think my soap is 2% i buy at drug store or online. Hope that helps. Demodex mites live on everybody its normal but some of us are very allergic to their cohabitation. I am allergic to dust mites as well. Ihope that helps. Mites get more active at night and also itching seems to be always worse at night too. I dont know if demodex is my problem because i have bad bouts of itching a lot. Its also good to have all three thyroid levels checked t3, t4 and tsh because itching can be associated with that. My doc suggests i get more iodine in my diet as well. Right nowmy thyroid is low so i am having lots of problems with itching. Try the tea tree oil and antipersperant. Really helps. Fyi. Melt coconut oil in microwavebefore adding tea tree oil and start at a lower percentage than 50% (like 20-30%) because its going all over your body not on a tiny spot. Also washing sheets and bedding. Pillows and pillowcases on hot and in hot dryer as well. Feel better.